Caracas, Venezuela, Oct 30, 2003 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Political and civil organization that make up the opposition in Venezuela held a rally this Wednesday in support of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church in the country, which has been the subject of verbal attacks by top government officials.

Participants marched through the streets of the capital up to the Apostolic Nunciature of Venezuela where a statement of support was given to the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop André Dupuy.

Carlos Valero, one of the event’s organizers, said the opposition alliance held the rally in order to repudiate “the offensive campaign against the Catholic Church and Catholics,” adding that the majority of Venezuelans still have a democratic conscience “kept alive in large measure because of the work the Church has done in the country for many years. The government will not go unpunished if it thinks it can continue these attacks.”